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Urbanization and health

For the first time in history, more than 50% of the world’s population lives in an urban area. By 2050, 70% of the world’s population will be living in towns and cities.

“The world is rapidly urbanizing with significant changes in our living standards, lifestyles, social behaviour and health,” says Dr Jacob Kumaresan, director of the World Health Organization’s Centre for Health Development based in Kobe, Japan. “While urban living continues to offer many opportunities, including potential access to better health care, today’s urban environments can concentrate health risks and introduce new hazards”.

WHO/SEARO

Motor vehicles are a major contributor to air pollution.

Health challenges particularly evident in cities relate to water, environment, violence and injury, noncommunicable diseases (cardiovascular diseases, cancers, diabetes and chronic respiratory diseases), unhealthy diets and physical inactivity, harmful use of alcohol as well as the risks associated with disease outbreaks. City living and its increased pressures of mass marketing, availability of unhealthy food choices and accessibility to automation and transport all have an effect on lifestyle that directly affect health.

The World Health Organization has chosen the theme of “urbanization and health” for World Health Day, on 7 April 2010, in recognition of the effect urbanization has on our collective health globally and on every individual. Its goal is to draw worldwide attention to the theme of urbanization and health and to involve governments, international organizations, business and civil society in a shared effort to put health at the heart of urban policy.

1000 cities, 1000 lives for World Health Day 2010

WHO/PAHO

Many cities are planning outdoor exercise classes as part of World Health Day.

This year’s World Health Day campaign “1000
cities, 1000 lives” calls upon cities to open up
public spaces for health activities for one day
during the week of 7–11 April 2010. Many
cities have planned activities such as closing
off portions of streets to motorized traffic, town
hall meetings with mayors, clean up-campaigns
and events that promote social solidarity.

The aim is to encourage discussion and
debate between city leaders and their citizens
to take action to improve policies, attitudes
and behaviour in the face of some of the more
negative aspects associated with urbanization
that impact health.

WHO has used social media such as Facebook
and YouTube so that individuals all over the
world can participate and interact. It has been
collecting stories of urban health champions
such as Japanese school student Yuhta Oishi
who successfully campaigned to ban smoking
in the streets of his city of Shizuoka.

Other events planned for 2010 include:

World Expo in Shanghai, which runs from
May to October, with the theme of “Better
City, Better Life”.

The launch of a report by UNHABITAT and
WHO on urbanization and health, with a
special theme of reducing health inequities
in urban settings.

A new tool called Urban HEART (Health
Equity Assessment and Response Tool)
for national and municipal leaders to
assess and respond to inequities in their
urban settings.

A Global Forum in Kobe, Japan, in
November will showcase the year’s
findings and successes on urbanization
and health.

World Health day: around the world

Arantxa Cayón Nieto/Health Secretary of Michoacán

Obesity is rising among Mexican children.

An intense day of physical activity for children and teenagers is planned for 11 April, in the main street of Lázaro Cárdenas, an industrial city in Mexico. More than 2000 children and their parents are expected to join in fun exercise programmes with the help of a team of physical education teachers. In Lázaro Cárdenas, families have few opportunities to share time with their children to promote physical exercise and schools very often lack sports teachers and facilities. “High consumption of junk food puts youngsters at risk of obesity and other related diseases,” says Aránzazu Cayón Nieto, spokesperson from the health secretariat of Michoacán state.

In Somalia, more than 1 million people will receive health-related text messages for World Health Day.
Messages have been selected and translated into Somali language and the largest mobile phone network in Somalia has agreed to send these
messages free of charge.

In Jalalabad, Afghanistan, there is a plan to plant up to 100 000 trees.

In San Luis, Argentina, the Plaza Independencia and four surrounding streets will be open to residents.

Melbourne, Australia, plans a half-
day family event including a run and bike on the Grand Prix circuit
where participants are encouraged to carry a sign of their city of birth to
demonstrate the multicultural nature of the city.

In Damphu, Bhutan, the day will be marked by raising awareness on health issues.

In Medellin, Colombia, there are activities planned for the whole population, including festivals, celebration
of physical activity week and activi-
ties involving old and young people.

Pointe Noire, the Congo, will focus
on public hygiene activities such as
cleaning the streets and waterways and will open streets to soccer, vol-
leyball and a traditional women’s sport called Nzango.

In Port Said, Egypt, the plan includes walking for health, drawing for health, music for health, playing
for health.

Golf lessons will be given in Cannes,
France, to commemorate World Health Day.

Bangalore, India, plans to offer free tests for eyesight, blood pressure and weight as well as planting saplings.

Five key areas for action

the ability of governments to build essential
infrastructures that make life in cities safe, rewarding and healthy, particularly in low-
income countries,” says Kumaresan. “We are at a key turning point in history where we can take concrete actions to address the health
issues associated with these urbanization trends.”

What can cities do to meet the challenges?

Promote urban planning for healthy behaviours and safety.

Improve urban living conditions, including access to adequate shelter and sanitation for all.

Involve communities in local decision-
making.

Ensure cities are accessible and age-
friendly.

Make urban areas resilient to emergencies and disasters.

City facts

More than half the world’s population now live in cities.

By 2030, six out of every 10 people will be city dwellers, rising to seven out of every 10
people by 2050.

Between 1995 and 2005, the urban population of developing countries grew by an average
of 1.2 million people per week, or around 165 000 people every day.

One in three urban dwellers lives in slums, or a total of 1 billion people worldwide.

Globally, road traffic injuries are the ninth leading cause of death, and most road traffic deaths
occur in low- and middle-income countries. Almost half of those who die in road traffic crashes
are pedestrians, cyclists or users of motorized two-wheelers.

Urban air pollution kills around 1.2 million people each year around the world, mainly due to
cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. A major proportion of urban air pollution is caused
by motor vehicles, although industrial pollution, electricity generation and in least developed
countries household fuel combustion are also major contributors.

Tuberculosis (TB) incidence is much higher in big cities. In New York City, TB incidence is four
times the national average. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, 83% of people with TB
live in cities.

Urban environments tend to discourage physical activity and promote unhealthy food consumption. Participation in physical activity is made difficult by a variety of urban factors
including overcrowding, high-volume traffic, heavy use of motorized transportation, poor air
quality and lack of safe public spaces and recreation/sports facilities.